Why somebody owes me a free Loverboy concert

Last night, I missed Loverboy in concert. And I'm betting by the crowds that were with me as I walked into Tampa's 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre that about 15,000 other '80s fans missed them too.

Seriously, what gives, LiveNation? On your website, you listed 7:30 as the start time. And as I walked into the venue at 7:30, Loverboy was just wrapping up their set. Sure, my tickets said 7 p.m., but which time are we to believe?

Not that I could have made it in time anyway, because it was a circus trying to park outside your venue. I guess I could blame the attendants guiding us around in circles outside the Florida State Fairgrounds on Friday night. It took me 90 minutes to get from the Howard Frankland bridge over Tampa Bay to the front door of the amphitheatre. (Normally it's a 30-minute trip at worst.)

While I waited, I had the pleasure of seeing at least two cars in front of us empty of people who proceeded to urinate on the exit ramp or run for the nearest tree. Memo to self: Never, ever drink anything before a trip to the Gary Amphitheatre.

So, LiveNation or whoever was responsible for this debacle, you owe me a Loverboy concert. But do me a favor: Make it someplace other than the fairgrounds on a Friday night.

About this blog

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times correspondent Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to big hair.